UNDER HIS RULES

“Really?” Hera could only hear a faint voice from Hugo as the surrounding noise was too loud. The impatient honking of other riders was quite annoying. Not to mention the loud rock music playing in her ears.

“Hold on.” Hugo couldn’t wait and he grabbed Hera’s hand that was still on his thigh. He didn’t care if Hera screamed in surprise behind him. And he received a punch again where, once again, Hugo forced Hera to hold onto him.

A twist of the throttle signaled Hugo’s seriousness. The red motorcycle accelerated to a high speed, leading the way among many other riders. Hera had no choice but to lower her head slightly and hold on tightly, entrusting herself to Hugo’s control and his big motorcycle.

“Don’t go too fast, Hugo!” Hera cautioned. It turned out to be quite terrifying being on Hugo’s motorcycle. “I’m not ready to die young. I’m not even married yet.”

Hugo laughed during his acceleration. He didn’t pay much attention to Hera’s complaints. For him, he had to speed up the journey before the day started to darken. And there was a possibility that tomorrow he would have to accompany Sam somewhere. At least for the next two weeks, he had redeemed his time today.

Hugo couldn’t explain the details of his closeness with Hera. He felt comfortable and never argued with the pampered girl. In fact, according to Hugo, Hera’s behavior, which only a few people knew about, made him happy. It meant that his presence was significant in Hera’s life.

He couldn’t explain why he easily allowed Hera to intervene in his life. Perhaps it was because of the bowl of tomato soup she made when Hugo was sick? At that time, he was really busy dealing with everything related to Twin Dragon and the police. Including the testimony needed during the investigation process.

Even though Ferdi helped a lot, there were still internal matters within Twin Dragon that couldn’t be mixed. And Hugo knew that for sure. Jack and Eland also had their own busy schedules after the turmoil that occurred. He couldn’t rely too much on them when it came to asking for help. Sam herself had to deal with much more important things, including the Eagle Wing throne. Also, her special relationship with the number one person in Quassano.

He was too tired to get up from the bed, only hearing the voice he recognized-Beatrice. She sounded a bit worried about his condition. And there was one person who accompanied him until he felt much better. That person was Hera. Unfortunately, in his pounding headache, feeling dizzy and not wanting any noise, Hera’s mouth often chattered. Saying this and that, not to mention slightly forcing Hugo to eat everything she served. Plus, he had to finish the medicine she brought. Complete torment, wasn’t it?

However, their closeness was formed from there. Hera’s chatter made Hugo feel less alone. He couldn’t deny that amidst his busy life as Sam’s confidant, there were times when he truly felt lonely. His greatest distraction was the games he played. If he could meet the creator of this game, Hugo would definitely want to express his gratitude.

“Hugo, I’m scared!”

Hugo glanced briefly at the girl’s hand on his stomach. The embrace was slightly tighter than before. The helmet also pressed against Hugo’s back more closely. Amidst the playing song, Hugo wasn’t deaf to Hera’s sobbing there. Slowly, he reduced the speed of the motorcycle that was slicing through the road towards the outskirts. This time, the destination was more towards the East.

“Still scared?” Hugo asked, gently stroking Hera’s hand. “I’m not speeding anymore.”

“Why do we have to speed in the first place?” Hera asked, opening her helmet visor. She wiped the corners of her watery eyes. “I’m scared.”

“Okay.”

“Just okay?” Hera was taken aback, unable to believe Hugo’s words this time. “You can be really annoying, you know. You know you did something wrong. I don’t like speeding, and yet you’re speeding. What’s going on? Where are we even going? Is it far? You didn’t even tell me our destination this time.”

Intentionally, Hugo pressed the gas a little hard, then braked suddenly. It made Hera jump in surprise, and her scream was heard quite loudly again.

“Hugo!”

“When will your mouth run out of power?” Hugo shook his head with a chuckle, revving the engine again, though not as hard as before. Luckily, the road ahead wasn’t too crowded. Once past the South and East borders, it became quieter with fewer vehicles passing by. The road Hugo took was not a main road.

“Answer me first, where are we going?”

“To Lake Jingga. Ever heard of it?” Hugo released one of his hands to pull Hera closer to him. There was no resistance this time, and Hugo took the opportunity to gently rub the back of her hand. “The sunset there is beautiful to enjoy.”

Hera remained silent for a while. “I don’t know, but some of my friends at college have been there.”

“Why does your voice lack enthusiasm? What’s wrong?” Hugo straightened his back slightly, making Hera lean even closer than before.

“Some say that if you visit Lake Jingga with your boyfriend, you’ll break up. It’s not a good omen for a long-lasting relationship.”

Hugo wanted to laugh, but hearing Hera’s voice devoid of any enthusiasm, he felt guilty if he were to laugh at that strange analogy. And there was one thing that piqued Hugo’s curiosity. “Are we dating, then?”

Upon hearing Hugo’s question, Hera’s mouth suddenly gaped open. Her mouth was wide open. Her eyes fixed on Hugo’s broad back, which was comfortable to lean on. “So… we’re nothing, huh?”Exclusive content © by Nô(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.

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Hugo couldn’t hide his laughter at all. He didn’t know how many times he had tried to calm down, but how could he restrain himself? Since getting off the motorcycle, Hera’s face had been pouting. Her walk seemed to stomp the ground as if it could shatter the earth. Not to mention, she refused to look at Hugo for even a moment. Whatever he asked, her answers were very brief: yes or no. Even when it came to the food he ordered, Hera didn’t want much.

But Hugo’s intentions were good this afternoon. He wanted to take Hera out to unwind. Even though he didn’t step foot on the campus grounds, accompanying Sharon while she worked on her assignments had given him insight into how busy she was as a student. Sometimes he heard her long complaints, especially about annoying professors and classmates.

“Do I need to give you a warning?”

“Don’t bother,” Sharon said with a smile. Her eyes returned to the laptop screen, and her hands danced as she typed many things there. “I complain just to be heard. You don’t have to take action, Hugo.”

Ah… why was he drawn to a time long gone? Only the roles changed? It used to be Sharon, now it was Hera. The difference was that Sharon was calmer, smiled more, and her words were friendly. Hera, on the other hand, often pursed her lips and made a series of sighs and complaints. But Hugo didn’t mind.

“Still angry?” Hugo asked as he placed a glass of Hera’s favorite avocado juice on the table.

“I’m not happy that the bribe was just juice. I can do that too,” Hera grumbled. She crossed her arms, hugging herself tightly. She was still annoyed by Hugo’s behavior. What did he say earlier? They weren’t a couple? Oh my God!

But… when Hera thought about it, when did she ever listen to Hugo’s request for clarification about their relationship? They suddenly became close and spent a lot of time together without any clear definition. Wasn’t that dangerous for her as a woman?

In theory, yes, it should be like that. But could Hera deny the times when Hugo often talked with his mother? They had a close relationship, talking about many things so casually, and Hugo could meet the desires of that middle-aged woman. And somehow, Hugo’s presence seemed to fill the void left by his deceased brother.

Hera was a girl who had learned to be patient and have a big heart in order to keep moving forward despite her challenging economic situation. She didn’t easily get upset, even though she felt envious when she saw many of her peers being showered with love by their parents. Meanwhile, she had to work hard to help her mother. She had one stroke of luck; Tony.

When she received the news of her brother’s death, it felt like the world was truly unfair to her. And there were many things surrounding her brother’s death that she discovered.

So when Hugo, a figure who craved attention, entered her life, she was very happy. She didn’t mind that he often looked at her cynically, scolded her, acted coldly, and sometimes did things his own way. Just like now. Hera should realize what kind of person Hugo was.

“Still angry?” Hugo moved closer to Hera, shifting his seat.

“Upon reflection,” Hera sighed softly. She played with her foot, swinging it slightly forward, her gaze no longer fixed on the juice that Hugo had brought. Her hands were no longer crossed. She felt that her rational thoughts had returned. “I shouldn’t be upset. It’s true, we don’t have any kind of relationship.” She smiled faintly. “Sorry for the trouble.”

From the side, her face illuminated by the evening sun was perfect. There was nothing lacking there, although if a comparison was made in terms of beauty, Hera was different from Beatrice. Hugo himself admitted that. As a man who appreciated the visual appeal of the opposite sex, the girl sitting next to him didn’t fit into his criteria. But… Hugo enjoyed their closeness not because of looks.

Who knows? Maybe it was because Hugo felt lonely? What was certain was that Hugo freely took Hera’s finger and held it tightly, slightly lifting it up in the air. It made the girl wide-eyed, her gaze fixed only on their linked hands.

“But I like our closeness, Hera.”

She wanted to scream with joy, but her annoyance resurfaced in her mind. She also wanted to ramble on and on as usual, but this time Hera had to hold back. She didn’t want to be seen as too easily won over by Hugo’s sweet words.

But unfortunately, he probably wouldn’t repeat those words. Right? Should Hera take out her phone? Record every detail of their time together today? She was sure that Hugo wasn’t the type of person to repeat happy moments. Hmm… this was a happy moment together, right? It wasn’t just Hera who felt it, right?

Oh, Hera! She gently tapped the side of her head, considering it as a form of frustration due to her strange inner voice. It was wandering all over the place.

“I’ve set my goals. Well… I admit, sometimes because you’re by my side, I remember Sharon.” For the first time in a memory that Hugo didn’t want to let go of, that name was spoken so casually. There was no burden, although the longing for that gentle brown-haired girl still remained.

“Who’s Sharon?” Hera asked curiously. Her face now looked at Hugo with a puzzled frown.

“If I tell you, promise not to be jealous?”